Roof Maintenance Tips: 10 Roofing Jobs To Complete Next Summer

Roof Maintenance Tips: 10 Roofing Jobs To Complete Next Summer

The warmer, drier months of summer make them the perfect time of year to get up onto your roof and make sure it is in good condition. Over time, and particularly after harsh weather, your roof may need maintenance and repairs. If you stay on top of these, you can help ensure your roof remains safe and protects your home for many decades to come. If there are minor problems with your roof, the sooner these are rectified, the less likely it is that they will turn into more significant and undoubtedly more costly issues in the future.

Getting onto your roof in summer will be more comfortable and safer than if you attempt to do so during or after heavy rain, snow or frost, or in windy conditions. Make sure you pick days where the weather is calm and dry but make sure you still take all necessary precautions like using ladders and safety equipment and wearing a high factor sunscreen if you plan to be outdoors for any length of time.

If you aren’t sure whether you have the right equipment or skill to complete a job, it’s always best to hire an experienced and reputable professional to carry out the work for you.

However, there are many roof maintenance jobs that you should be able to complete to ensure your roof remains in good condition. Here are ten roofing jobs that you can take care of next summer:

Ten roof maintenance tips and jobs for Summer 2022

1. Removing debris that has gathered on your roof.

You may find that lots of debris fall onto your roof during autumn and winter and accumulate there. Summer is a great time to remove leaves, twigs, moss, and branches, as well as any litter or other debris that might have become stuck on your roof and in your gutters. Doing so will ensure that rainwater can flow effectively down the roof pitch and through your gutter system with ease.

2. Replace broken, missing or cracked tiles and slates.

Severe weather may have caused tiles and slates to become cracked or out of place on your roof. Replacing these as soon as possible will keep your roof robust and healthy and prevent any water ingress which could damage the timber in the roof and cause rotting and can lead to damage of the felt, which would require the roof to be stripped and the felt reinstalled. If you require replacement concrete and/or clay tiles you can view our full range here. If you require replacement natural roof slates and/or man made roof slates, you can find these here.

3. Inspect and clean your gutter & fascia.

Summer is a great time to check your entire gutter & fascia systems to ensure they are working correctly. Fascia systems protect your rafters for damp and moisture as well as give your home a decorative feel. Depending on your system, they could also be ventilated so it is important that this system is working correctly. They are mostly made from uPVC, so it is not impossible that older fascia systems would be cracked or broken. Gutters that are cracked or have come loose need to be repaired or replaced, and removing debris accumulated in gutters will ensure they can divert water away from your home with ease. At present we do not have our guttering range listed on our website (watch this space); however, this is stocked across our 4 branches. To discuss pricing and the availability of guttering products, please call us on 01737 763008 or email us here.

You could also install Hedgehog Gutter Guard Brushes stop your gutters from clogging from leafs and dirt and allow rain to drain easily, they are easy to install and are the ideal job to take up this summer.

Rotted fascia

4. Tackle any moss and algae from your roof.

Moss and mould will form your roof overtime if it is not maintained. Not only is moss and mould an eyesore, but growths on your roof can lead to deep rots within your roof and can absord water for prolonged lengths of time, even in blistering summer heat. Should the weather change and the water freeze, it can lead to cracks and full breaks on your tiles. Removing moss from your roof will require a little bit of elbow grease and a stiff brush, but with Fungicidal Wash, which kills the moss it becomes a lot easier. The Fungicidal Wash helps to prevent further build up in the future.

5. Check the chimney pot and cowl.

Chimney pots are manufactured from clay, and should be routinely checked to make sure that the pot is in good condition as any deep cracks can attract moisture and frost damage, which will lead to further damage to your pot. Should your pot be damaged, it is recommended to replace the pot before it leads to further damage to your roof. Replacing a chimney pot is a fairly simple job for a professional, and the pots themselves are very affordable. Do the same with your chimney cowl, be it clay, plastic or a metal cowl. Any damage here can allow water down your chimney. If there are any damages to pot or cowls, you can find our full range here.

6. Tend to your garden.

If you have any trees or overhanging branches that could fall onto your roof, you should cut these back. This will help prevent further debris from falling onto the surface of the roof. It will also ensure that animals such as squirrels don’t climb onto your roof.

7. Check your attic for wildlife.

With recent changes to the law and building regulations, which now prevent the destruction and distrupton of bat roosts, many homeowners and builders are installing Bat Vents to accomodate bats. Bat vents are tiles or slates that have been modified to allow bats to pass through, and siimply replace existing roof tiles or slates.

Its not just bats that you can help to find a safe place to live and breed within your home. You could also install Swift Bricks, which replace a house brick with a plastic brick shape box, just big enough for Swifts to nest safely in. Like bat vents, these are commonly installed in new build projects, and are available in 3 colours that are designed to blend in with the structure of any property.

Birds & squirrels often enter the property via the chimney. Choosing the correct cowl to prevent this is of the upmost importance. Some cowls are only to be installed on disused chimney pots, as they do not provide enough ventialtion for carbon monoxide to escape. If your chimney is in use, you can still block the entry of birds and rodents with Birdguards and Anti Downdraught cowls.

Natural Slate Bat Access Vent

8. Upgrade your ventilation.

A well-ventilated roof is extremely important, particularly during cooler weather. If your ventilation is not adequate, your home may become more susceptible to dampness and mould, which can damage items in storage and can also begin to compromise the structure of timber frames and other areas of your roof. Inadequate ventilation will also make your home far less energy efficient.

If your roof needs some ventilation, you can install plastic tiles vents or slate vents, which are installed in place of the roof tiles and slates. These allow airflow into your home. You can also install felt vents from your loft space; such as the KIMA Inside/out vent. These also vent your loft space, but are easier to retro-fit. You may need several of these for the ventilation to be adequate, depending on your roof size.

9. Regulate your roof temperature.

Fascia vents allow airflow in your roof space as your attic should be no more than 20 degrees hotter than the outside air temperature, and installing a vent will ensure that the attic remains as cool as possible as the summer heat arrives.

10. Book a roof inspection.

While there are plenty of DIY jobs to be getting on with, it’s also a good idea to schedule an annual roof inspection and have a professional come and check the health of your roof overall. A trade professional will spot any problems and detect any underlying damage that may not be visible to the naked or untrained eye.

This summer, these ten tips for roof maintenance will ensure that your roof remains in great condition and will ensure it is prepared for the colder months and harsher weather ahead.

Pricing & Availability

At About Roofing Supplies, we are proud to supply all the roofing materials and tools you need to keep your roof in good working order. To discuss pricing and the availability of materials, please call us on 01737 763008 or email us here.

Where can I find materials near me?

You can view and order a range of roofing materials, as well as our wide range of clay roof tiles and concrete roof tiles in any of our branches listed below or we can deliver nationwide:

Dorking, Surrey branch

Redhill, Surrey branch

Esher, Surrey branch

East Grinstead, West Sussex branch

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